Street Camera...

Hi everyone

I just want to ask if you have any recommendation on good/best camera for Street Photography. I just love the style of art and still learning but i got only a dslr which most of the time I got bad shots.
If you consider dslr,any lens you recommend.
I'm a beginner so hope not too expensive cameras or lenses you'll recommend

Thanks,
Duke

dukehenry said:

Hi everyone

I just want to ask if you have any recommendation on good/best camera for Street Photography. I just love the style of art and still learning but i got only a dslr which most of the time I got bad shots.
If you consider dslr,any lens you recommend.

Click to expand...

There are many styles of "street photography". The equipment has to match your approach to this venue. If you are shy and sensitive, you need a long FL lens...at least in places like NYC where your subjects will be surly.

If you have a tough skin, then you might get better pix a little closer up. But you'll have to interact with your subjects.

Many beginning "street photographers" are not confident...they believe that they are stealing something from the people they photograph. These people need a "stealth" camera...small, black, quiet, works from waist-level.

Believing that you are some sort of pervert is a good way to get in trouble! You must firmly believe that you are doing is: 1) normal, 2) fun, 3) legal, and 4) important. If you are not sure about the above, don't even consider doing "street photography"!

dukehenry said:

I'm a beginner so hope not too expensive cameras or lenses you'll recommend

Click to expand...

I'm not shy and am confident. In spite of that, my favorite "street" lens is a 70-200mm f/2.8. I like to get head shots and this lens gives me a little room so that I don't invade the space of the subject.

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700, Sony R1, Nikon D50, Nikon D300
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
"He had a photographic memory which was never developed."

I shoot a lot on the streets and in the parks of NYC. You can do street shooting with any kind of camera depending on how you approach it. Bresson did OK with a Leica and a 50mm lens. You can shoot on the street from a distance with a long lens, or you can shoot up close. Shooting from a distance gets more candid results. Shooting up close is more intimate.

If you shoot from a distance forget the spy vs spy routine. Don't go sneaking around. In this day and age you're looking for trouble doing that. If someone sees you, just hold up the camera and say something like, "Do you mind me taking a few pictures?" When you work up close, it's always a good idea to ask permission. I always ask if the person would like me to email or snail mail them the pictures. Being friendly and smiling a lot helps too.

I shoot with a DSLR. I like small lightweight cameras and lenses partly because I'm not as young as I used to be and partly because they draw less attention. I'm now using a Nikon D3100 and Tamron 18-270 VC PZD. They lack snob appeal, but they get the job done without breaking my back. I can shoot up close or from a distance without carrying a lot of gear. Also being able to go from wideangle to long tele instantly has saved a lot of missed shots.

In street photography, people skills are as or more important than photography skills. I've been doing it for 44 years and I only had a problem once, and that was with a wino who I wasn't even shooting. He said something. I said, "sorry", and walked away and that was the end of it.

some recomm. are ricoh gx100, sigma dp1 series, canon s90 series, samsung ex1, and pannie lx3/5. r

dukehenry said:

Hi everyone

I just want to ask if you have any recommendation on good/best camera for Street Photography. I just love the style of art and still learning but i got only a dslr which most of the time I got bad shots.
If you consider dslr,any lens you recommend.
I'm a beginner so hope not too expensive cameras or lenses you'll recommend

Thanks,
Duke

Click to expand...

maybe some of these or the sony nexes or micro43.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/WB/WB.HTM?view=dp_travel

dukehenry said:

Hi everyone

I just want to ask if you have any recommendation on good/best camera for Street Photography. I just love the style of art and still learning but i got only a dslr which most of the time I got bad shots.
If you consider dslr,any lens you recommend.
I'm a beginner so hope not too expensive cameras or lenses you'll recommend

Thanks,
Duke

Click to expand...

dukehenry said:

Hi everyone

I just want to ask if you have any recommendation on good/best camera for Street Photography. I just love the style of art and still learning but i got only a dslr which most of the time I got bad shots.
If you consider dslr,any lens you recommend.
I'm a beginner so hope not too expensive cameras or lenses you'll recommend

Thanks,
Duke

Click to expand...

Are you just starting with street photography? How often will you shoot/serious will you be? I would recommend a nice P&S or even a micro thirds camera if you want to spend more. You can also use a DSLR with a prime 35mm (or 50mm) lens. You want to have a small camera.

--
Christakis

http://blog.christakisphoto.com/
(Updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday)

Thank you sir for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes I was shy and nervous especially when the subject was looking at my camera.

Thanks a lot Sir for sharing your ideas about street photography.
And sorry for what happened.

May I ask again Sir? Do the Tamron 70-300mm (cheaper) will do the same as the lens you recommend?

Thank you so much sir for sharing the infos. Do you consider the G series of Canon or the M series of Leica?

Hi Sir Chris

thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do have dslr with 50mm f/1.8. I did some street shots. shots form festivals and candid shots on street. But my problem when using the dslr (especially when i'm in the train) It's so noisy which sometimes I'm afraid to shot.

I did try shotting with my dslr on my hip and below chest but the results are sucks. I'm a bit shy and nervous but i love taking street shots.
I saw lots street videos that they used Leica M series. do that camera is good?

Another follow up question Sir, If using the dslr, what would be the great/best setting of the camera when in the street?

Thanks again
duke

The Canon G series and the Leica M series are two different breeds of cameras.

The Leica M series are the classic street photography camera, and the one that is most revered by most of the hardcore street phtotgraphers. They are also very pricey, with a digital M8 starting at about $2500 or so for a used body and about $1700 and up for each lens (new prices). The M9 will set you back about $7000 for the body only. Are they worth it? Most say yes because of the quality of the M series lenses but there are many cheaper alternatives that are just as good for most people.

The G series Canon you mentioned are a high end compact camera with a full set of both manual and automatic controls. They are relatively small and inconspicous as well, with a non-interchangeble zoom lens and a wealth of manul controls. The big plus is they include an optical viewfinder. They are much cheaper, less than a 1/10th of the price of an M9.

Either one will work fine for shooting street, you just have to work within the limitations of the camera and your skill set. And the limitations of your wallet as well if you go Leica M......

--
John Glover
WSSA #141PX

dukehenry said:

Thank you so much sir for sharing the infos. Do you consider the G series of Canon or the M series of Leica?

Click to expand...

i am beginning to think it really could be any small camera for street photography. its the camera you have with you that makes the difference. no camera no picture. r

chuxter said:

If you have a tough skin, then you might get better pix a little closer up. But you'll have to interact with your subjects.

Click to expand...

Which can be fun.

chuxter said:

Many beginning "street photographers" are not confident...they believe that they are stealing something from the people they photograph. These people need a "stealth" camera...small, black, quiet, works from waist-level.

Believing that you are some sort of pervert is a good way to get in trouble! You must firmly believe that you are doing is: 1) normal, 2) fun, 3) legal, and 4) important. If you are not sure about the above, don't even consider doing "street photography"!

Click to expand...

Sneaking photography is the surest way or arousing hostility. Might as well wear a sign saying, "I am a pervert."

chuxter said:

chuxter said:

I'm a beginner so hope not too expensive cameras or lenses you'll recommend

Click to expand...

I'm not shy and am confident. In spite of that, my favorite "street" lens is a 70-200mm f/2.8. I like to get head shots and this lens gives me a little room so that I don't invade the space of the subject.

Click to expand...

A agree with your post and its full of good advice. My addendum is simply to point out that "harrassment" does not require a camera.

Am I interfering with someone going about their business? I.e. blocking their path? Shooting a flash into their eyes? Sticking a camera into their face?

I do none of these things. And with a handful of exceptions, never ask permission to shoot anyone. In those handulf of exceptions, such as shooting people eating in an outdoor cafe from less than seven feet, I invariably ask for permission.

I use a fixed lens compact because it's not as obtrusive, but I stand openly for all my picture taking.

Dave

chuxter said:

Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700, Sony R1, Nikon D50, Nikon D300
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
"He had a photographic memory which was never developed."

Click to expand...

dukehenry said:

Hi Sir Chris

thanks for sharing your thoughts. I do have dslr with 50mm f/1.8. I did some street shots. shots form festivals and candid shots on street. But my problem when using the dslr (especially when i'm in the train) It's so noisy which sometimes I'm afraid to shot.

I did try shotting with my dslr on my hip and below chest but the results are sucks. I'm a bit shy and nervous but i love taking street shots.
I saw lots street videos that they used Leica M series. do that camera is good?

Another follow up question Sir, If using the dslr, what would be the great/best setting of the camera when in the street?

Thanks again
duke

Click to expand...

The Leica M is very nice but just because the great street photographers used it doesn't mean its the best camera for street photography. Having said that, that is my camera but I got the M for very different reasons.

Considering what you said before, I would recommend buying a nice point and shoot. When you become more confident you can buy a better one.

--
Christakis

http://blog.christakisphoto.com/
(Updated every Monday, Wednesday and Friday)

Duke, if you're asking me, I'm not necessarily recommending any specific lens. I like a superzoom like the Tamron 18-270 VC PZD because it handles so many situations, but many others don't like superzooms because using two or more shorter ratio zooms like the Tamron 70-300 VC would have better image quality. It's a trade off. You give up some image quality to get greater flexibility.

The Tamron 70-300 VC is an excellent lens. You could team it with a lens like the Tamron or Sigma 17-50 f/2.8 and have a two lens kit that would have better image quality than any superzoom. However, you now may have to do a lot of lens changing, and you could miss a shot changing lenses. It's a personal choice. What's right for me may not be right for you.

dukehenry said:

Thank you sir for sharing your thoughts. Sometimes I was shy and nervous especially when the subject was looking at my camera.

Click to expand...

You have to get over that if you want to be a successful street photographer. Just keep taking pix? Learn to make friends with your "subjects"...make them like you! Make them want you to take their picture! But, learn when to back away...

Do some research... check out the old Sony R1. It's, in my opinion, a great street camera. The LCD on top is priceless. It makes you look like you are not taking pix. It gives a lower perspective, which can be fresh. It's totally silent. Sometimes you can find one...

--
Charlie Davis
Nikon 5700, Sony R1, Nikon D50, Nikon D300
HomePage: http://www.1derful.info
"He had a photographic memory which was never developed."